Eriksson can succeed at Eastlands, says Ranieri

The Manchester City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, received support from a sympathetic Claudio Ranieri yesterday, after the former Chelsea manager backed the Swede to remain at Eastlands.

Eriksson's future has been the subject of much speculation, with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra conducting a review of the club and reportedly readying himself to appoint a replacement manager. However, Ranieri, who was given just a season by Roman Abramovich before he was replaced by Jose Mourinho in June 2004, is adamant Eriksson can lift City into the Premier League's top four.

"Nobody can take a team and immediately bring first position," said Juventus coach Ranieri, who was in charge at Stamford Bridge for four seasons in all. "I think [given] this year, another year and a third year – Sven would get the team in the first four."

Eriksson led the Blues to ninth place – their best campaign since 2004-2005 – in his first season as a Premier League manager. The Swede also helped City to achieve the 'double' over derby rivals and Premier League champions Manchester United for the first time in 38 years, becoming the only team to win in the league at Old Trafford in the process. However, losses to relegated teams Birmingham and Reading and a defeat to fourth-bottom Fulham were part of a troublesome second half of the season which is believed to have provoked Thaksin's ire.

Eriksson could yet earn a reprieve after City secured a Uefa Cup place – qualifying through the fair play table – one season ahead of Thaksin's previously outlined schedule and assessed the campaign as "very good".

"I think Manchester City as a club – the players, the coaches, everybody – we had a good year, a very good year," said Eriksson. "The start of the season was fantastic, maybe too good to be true. Second half, we were not as good as the first half. Looking totally, I think it was a very good year."

The City manager, who has two years remaining on his contract, yet again declined to comment on the future. "About next season, I don't want to comment today," he added.

Ranieri had three years remaining on his contract when he departed Chelsea and, like Eriksson, had the backing of the club's fans.

Eriksson's position contrasts with Ranieri's in that the Swede was appointed by the new regime after Thaksin took control at Eastlands last summer.

But Ranieri maintains that Eriksson requires time in a highly-competitive league.

Asked if he thinks it would be a mistake for City to sack Eriksson, he said: "I think so. The first year it is very difficult to immediately field a good team. The Premiership is very hard and there are a lot of good teams."

Manchester City are taking part in their post-season tour of Asia. The Blues lost 3-1 to Thailand Premier All-Stars in Bangkok last Saturday with a youthful team missing numerous first-team regulars through injuries and international call-ups.

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